Combination stud and panel fastener

Abstract

Described is a combination fastener for attaching an object to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component. The combination fastener includes a carrier portion to retain the object and a fastener portion. The fastener portion includes a body sidewall that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud. A plurality of stud-retention features are resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall to retain the stud within the hollow space. Each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space. A plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall to retain the combination fastener within the opening.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A combination fastener for attaching a tube to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component, the combination fastener comprising:
 a carrier portion configured to retain the tube; and 
 a fastener portion having a body sidewall that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud, the fastener portion having: 
 a plurality of stud-retention features resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the stud within the hollow space, wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis and are configured to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space; and 
 a plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the combination fastener within the opening. 
 
     
     
       2. The combination fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of legs arranged as a clip assembly. 
     
     
       3. The combination fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the clip assembly is a “W-type” clip assembly. 
     
     
       4. The combination fastener of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features includes a return arm resiliently connected to the body sidewall and configured to deflect as the as the stud passes through the hollow space. 
     
     
       5. The combination fastener of  claim 4 , wherein each of the panel-retention features comprises a foot positioned at a distal end of the return arm. 
     
     
       6. The combination fastener of  claim 5 , wherein the foot comprises one or more friction features. 
     
     
       7. The combination fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the combination fastener is fabricated as a unitary structure. 
     
     
       8. The combination fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the combination fastener is fabricated as a unitary structure via an additive manufacturing technique. 
     
     
       9. The combination fastener of  claim 1 , wherein a leading end of the body sidewall is chamfered along an inner perimeter to align and guide the stud into the hollow space during assembly. 
     
     
       10. The combination fastener of  claim 1 , wherein a leading end of the body sidewall is chamfered along an outer perimeter to align and guide the fastener portion into the opening during assembly. 
     
     
       11. The combination fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of fins arranged as a push-pin assembly. 
     
     
       12. The combination fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of box-prong legs arranged as a box-prong assembly. 
     
     
       13. The combination fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier portion comprises a pocket configured to retain the tube. 
     
     
       14. The combination fastener of  claim 13 , wherein the carrier portion comprises a lid configured to secure the tube in the pocket, wherein the lid is coupled to the carrier portion via a hinge. 
     
     
       15. A combination tube fastener for attaching at least one tube to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component, the combination tube fastener comprising:
 a carrier portion configured to retain the at least one tube, wherein the carrier portion comprises a pocket configured to retain the tube; and 
 a fastener portion coupled to the carrier portion and having a body sidewall that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud, the fastener portion having: 
 a plurality of stud-retention features resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the stud within the hollow space, wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis and are configured to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space; and 
 a plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the combination tube fastener within the opening. 
 
     
     
       16. A combination fastener for coupling to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component, the combination fastener comprising:
 a carrier portion having a lid coupled to the carrier portion via a hinge and configured to secure an object relative to the carrier portion; 
 a body sidewall coupled to the carrier portion that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud; 
 a plurality of stud-retention features resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the stud within the hollow space, 
 wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis and are configured to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space; and 
 a plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the combination fastener within the opening. 
 
     
     
       17. The combination fastener of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of legs arranged as a clip assembly. 
     
     
       18. The combination fastener of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of fins arranged as a push-pin assembly. 
     
     
       19. The combination fastener of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of box-prong legs arranged as a box-prong assembly. 
     
     
       20. The combination fastener of  claim 16 , wherein the combination fastener is fabricated as a unitary structure.